Manufacture and filling of receptacles for liquid, semiliquid, powdery, granular, orsolid substances



May 7, 1929- H. E. SPENCER 1,712454 MANUFACTURE AND F1LL1NG 0FRECEPT/mms FOR LIQUID, SEMILIQUID,

POWDERY. GRANULAF., 0R SOLID sUBsTANcEs Filed Sept. l5, 1926 llSheets--Sheecl l www May 7, l929- H. E. SPENCER 1,712,454

MANUFACTURE AND FILLING OF RECEPTACLES FOR LIQUID. SEMILIQUID, POWDERY,GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES Filed Sept. 13, 1926 1l Sheets-Sheet 2 May7, 1929- H. E. SPENCER MANUFACTURE AND FILLING OF RECEPTACLES FOR LIQ'POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTAN Filed sept. 15, 192e May 7, 1929- yH E. SPENCER 1,712454 MANUFACTURE AND FILLING OF RECEPTACLES FOR LQUID,SEMILIQUID,

POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES A Filed Sept. 13, 1926 llSheets-Sheet 4 INVEHTOI May 7, 1929. H E 5 E AND FILLING OF RECElPOWDERY, GRANULAR 1D, SEMILIQUID, CES 1l PENCER P'IACLES FOR LIQU ORSOLD SUBSTAN ept. 13 1926 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed S MANUFAQTUR May7,-1929'.

H. E. SPENCER y LLING OF RECEPTACLES FOR LIQUID. SEMILIQUID,

MANUFACTURE AND FI Sheet G POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES FiledSept. 13 1926 ll Sheets- May 7, 1929- H. E. SPENCER 12712454 MANUFACTUREAND FILLING 0F` RECEPTACLES FOR LIQUID, SEMILIQUID,

POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES ll Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Sept. 151926 May 7, 1929. H E SPENCER 1,712,454

MANUFACTURE AND FILLING OF RECEPTACLES FOR LIQUID. SEMILIQUID, OWDERY,GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES Filed Sept. 15, 1926 l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 4\\\\\l zal /7/ 157 157 i @l l@ 5M S Lh.- 1.6 5 '144 M www @www May 7,1929- H. E. SPENCER 1712454 MANUFACTURE AND FILLING QF RECEP'I'ACLES4FOR LIQUID, 'SEMILIQUID,

POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES A Filed Sept. 13, 1926 1lSheets-Sheet 9 May 7, 1929 H E. SPENCER 17125454 MANUFACTURE AND FILLINGF RECEPTACLES FOR LIQUID, SEMILIQUID,

POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES Filed Sept. 13 1926 l1Sheets-Sheet l0 May 7, 1929.

H. E. SPENCER MANUFACTURE AND FILLING OF REGEPTACLES FOR LIQUID,SEMILIQUID,

POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR SOLID SUBSTANCES l1 Sheets-Sheet ll Filed Sept. l51926 Patented Mey 7, 1929.

AUNITED STATES Partnr oFFlcn.

nai-rotin EDWIN SPENCER, on sunnnr, nnennnn, .assitance 'ro nrsnnnis:rotta trattano, or nonnen, nnannnnl nanuracrunn ann rimane ornncnrraonns non menti), sniarnreurn, rownnnir,

ernannten, on sonno suns'rarnnss.

.application filed September 13, 1926, Serial No. 135,050, and in GreatBritain september 23, fatti rlhis invention is for improvements in orrelating tothe manufacture of containers from flexible material and thefilling of such containers with liquid, semi-liquid, powdery, granularor solid substances, and it has for one of its objects to provide forthe expeditious and cheap packing of said substances which for brevitywill be hereinafter referred to as the charge.

rThe invention is concerned with apparatus for manufacturing andcharging containers of the type wherein a Web of flexible material (forexample paper) from `which the container is to be made is led from asupply roll through a former to bring it to the shape of a tube, theforvvardend of the tubular container so formed is closed, and thetubular container is charged through its open end.

" tainer.

@ne feature of the invention consists in the provision of means adapted'to cause all parts of the Wall of the tubular container at the rear .ofthe charge to contract centrally about the axis of the container so asto form a contracted portion, and means whereby a fastening deviceadditional to the main body of the said tubular container is applied tosaid contracted portion Without itself actually causing thecontraction..

rlhe former may be of such shape as to create a tubular container of anydesired cross-section, and it Will be understood that at thecommencement of operations it will be'necessar to close, probablymanually, the leading en of the first individual container; after thisthe closing ofthe individual containers may proceed automatically, therearward end of the one being closed simultaneously with the closing ofthe leading end of the nent following container. For brevity, theseindividual containers will be hereinafter referred to as cont-amers.

According to another feature of the invention one or more supports (suchas discs) may be placed in the interior of each con- 'lhese supports maybe located at the leading and rearward ends of the container, or at oneend only, as preferred. 'llhey conform to the internal cross-section ofthe tubular container and serve to maintain the shape of the containerduring and after the closing and the formation of the end or ends of theeontainer, but especially during the closing. The said supports may hesimply dropped into position by hand, or

they may be inserted in the container by means of a mandrel (hereinafterreferred to) which is'used in the formation of the tubular container andthe charging of the containers, which mandrel can he subsequentlyremoved when necessary, leaving the support behind. The support may hearadvertising or other matter intended to show through the 'material ofwhich the container 1s made, such material being, in this case,transparent or translucent. Vf`he discs may be either fla-t or of anydesired shape, e. g. they may be shaped to constitute a spout .roundwhich the end of the container is closed and fastened. 4 v

Furthermore, if desired the support may take the form of a liner, madefor example of papier-mache or compressed cardboard, vvhichis insertedin the container to strengthen the sides.. y f' n According to another"featureof the invent1on, external attachments (for example one or morestrands of Wire, string or ribbon) may be secured to the containers.external attachments may serve, among other purposes which will beapparentfrom the following description, as stiifeners, handleloops or asdecorative devices.

Moreover, there is provided a mandrel between Which and the said tubularcontainer there is provision for relative longitudinal movement, whichmandrel is so shaped and disposed as to lie in the interior of, andsupport, the said tubular container during its formation by a former,and also to support, during the closing of the Walls of the tubularcontainer together, the said leading end of the container next followingthe charged container. Thus, Whether or not one of the `aforesaidsupports is inserted into said leading end, the mandrel may be employedto afford the support requisite during the formation of the closed end.`rllhe mandrel may be fixed in position and the tubular container formedaround and fed along it, or the mandrel may be. longitudinally movable-so as only to be brought into operative position When required.

Arccording to another feature of the inventionmeans may beprovidedtoim/partrelative longitudinal movement to the former and themandrel and thereby cause the Web of ma,- terial to be fed through theformer to form the tubular container. Conveniently, means may also heprovided whereby at the desired times the mandrel is moved to causepressure to be inserted against the closed end of the tubular containerand thus force the web of material through the former, or theforewithliquids or semi-liquids. In such a construction the support tobe inserted in the container may take the form-of a perforated disc(with or without anon-return flap valve or the like) to be placed at theend of the mandrel so as to be a gripping fit on the proj jecting en'dof the said feed pipe and rest a inst a shoulder on it. Such a disc canbe p aced in'position, when the mandrel is outside the container andafter the mandrel has been drawn into operative position, the feed ofthe charge through it may commence. It will be understood that ifasupporting disc is inserted at the leading end of the container, thereis no necessity for it to be perforated, though similar discs may beemployed at both ends if preferred. As the charging proceeds, themandrel may either recede or the tubular container be forced forwards.During the relative movement of the mandrel and the tubular container,it might be arranged that the feed i e with the disc ceases to recedewhen the ul char e has been inserted, while the mandrel itse f continuesits receding movement until the distance between the disc and the end ofthe mandrel is such as to leave suicient material for closing together,the walls of the tubular container. This closin movement will cause thewalls of the tubu ar container to gri the disc, and as the wallscontract to the slze of the feed pipe, this latter may be withdrawn fromthe charged container into the-main part of the mandrel and so allowcompletion of the closin operation. The mandrel may be provided with awasher, say of rubber, expansible if desired, to make a piston jointwithin the former, and it will be appreciated that the end of themandrel and the disc which has been left inside the char ed containerafford the requisite supports etween which the wall-closing operation iscarried out.

According to a further feature of the invention means are provided(preferably automatically movable into and out of operative position)for attaching a. fastener to the walls ofthe aforsaid tubular containerat the situation where such walls have been closed together.Conveniently, two fasteners may be attached at each of said situationsand means ma be provided for severing the walls of the tu ular containerbetween the said 7o fasteners so as to separate the one container fromthe next, It is preferable to aix both fasteners simultaneously, but thesevering mzy be delayed if desired.

tis also a feature of the invention to provide the machine with a socketto receive the leading portion of the charged tubular container. Thissocket preferably lies below the former and below the point at which thefasteners are aflixed. The walls of the socket su may be arranged togrip the outside of thc charged container, the end support or supportsin the latter offering sufficient resistance to prevent damage to thecontainer, and said socket walls may be then rotated to twist thematerial and close the end of the container. In this case the said wallsare preferably arranged to partake of longitudinal movement in relationto the former, and such movement may either be definitely controlled ormeans may be provided to counterbalance by a screw or like means, or bya sprinc, or only by the weight of the socket and of the container beingtwisted, in order to maintain the requisite tension on the material ofthe tubular container as it is being twisted together.

The socket aforesaid may have a bottom to shape the ends of thecontainers as they are pushed down into the chamber by the mandrel, orthe bottom may be omitted or may be removable. The said socket may bearranged to receive a`cardboard or other receptacle into which thecharged container would be thus received for'. subsequent transp ort.

The former may be provided with a contractable part to grip the tubularcontainer during the closing operation and above the former there may bea filling tube leading from a eistern or hopper containing the charge.

For a more complete understanding of the invention there will now bedescribed, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, a vertical machine for manufacturing and charging containerswith semi-liquid, liquid, powdery or granular materials according to theinvention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is notrestricted to the precise constructional details set forth.

In these drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of themachine,

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2--2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the former,

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the discfeeding mechanism, 130

llt)

' bers,

Figure is a sectionl on the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a detail View of the disc-feeding slide, l

Figure .7 is an end elevation of the lower end of the former, y

Figure 8 is a plan of the wireefeeding mechanism and ifastener-afhxingdie-mem- Figure 9 isa section on the line 9-9 0f Figure 8,

Figure 10 ,is a plan of the two die-members detached from theiroperating mechanism,-

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale on the line11-11 of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale on the line12-12 of Figure 10,

Figure 13 is a side elevation partly in section of the twistingmechanism for closing the containers,

Figure 14 is an underside plan on the line 14-14 of Figure 13 showingthe ratchet mechanism. y u

Figure 1,5 is a plan partly v:in section and drawn to a reduced scale,on the line 15-15 of Figure 13, i

Figure 16 is a plan partly in section and on a reduced scale on the line16-16 of Figure 13,

Figure 17 is a sectional elevation of a modified mandrel,

Figure 18 is a sectional elevation of another form of mandrel andshowing the v valve-operating gear,

` Figure 19 is a section onthe line 19-19 of Figure 18,

Figures E20-24 inclusive show various forms of containers,

Figure 25 is a section on the line 2525 of Figure 24,

Figurl 26 is a` detail te.

Figures 27--29 inclusive show further modihereinafter referred ica'tionsin the containers,

Figure '30'illustrates a modification of the mechanism for feeding thematerial from which the fasteners are made,

Figure 31 is a sectional elevation showing how external attachments areapplied to the containers, and,

Figure 32 is a sectional plan on the line 32H32 of Figure 31.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings. i

The material. hereinafter referred to as paper, from which thecontainers are to be made is led from a roll 1 beneath a guiding roll 2to and through a stationary hollow former 3 to bring it to the shape ofa tube. Within lthe said former a mandrel 16 is caused to reciprocate asand for the purposes hereinafter explained. It is obvious that when thepaper 4 is being formed into a tube it passes between the former 3 andthe mandrel 16. The paper 4 after leaving the roll 2 Fbe employed.

passes vover a knife edge l5 at the top of the former 3. This knife edgeis substantially the same width as the paper which is thus fedtransversely to the axis of the former. This arrangement enables theformer 3 to be kept as short as possible and facilitates the insertionof the charge and of the end supports hereinafter referred to.4

The former 3 is of a type commonly employed for bringing Hat paper totubular formation, and its active folding edges may be caused to lap thepaper, double fold it, crimp is shown against the open end of which theedge of the paper 4 is caused to press, but an ordinary roller gummingattach-ment may The gummed edge of the paper is pressed down to form theseam by a rubber-covered roller 8 mounted on an arm 9 secured to a shaft10 which can pivot in brackets 11 on the frame of the machine. The

.roller 8 is held in operative position against the paper 4 whentheltubular container is being drawn through the former 3, and is movedout of operative position when not re'- quired by'a cam 12 on the maincam shaft 13 of thelmachine. The camshaft 13 is rotated from a shaft ls'hereinafter referred to by bevel wheels 161 and 162. The cam 12- actsagainst a roller 14 mounted on a stein 15 secured to the shaft 10. lfdesired the roller 8 can be caused to crimp the seam of the tubularcontainer when waxed paper is used for the container a heated steelroller may be pr'ovidedinstead of the gumming device to melt the waxalong the edges of the paper and thus cause them to adhere toform thejoint.

The mandrel 16 is virtually a plunger which is reciprocated from theshaft '17 which is driven from the mai-n driving shaft 18 of the machineby gear wheels 19, 20 on said shafts respectively. To this end, there ismounted on the shaft 17,/a cam 21 which actuates a rod 22 pivoted to alink 23. The other en d of said link is pivotally connected. to links 25carried by a cross-head Q6 which is secured to the mandrel 16 and whichslides on guide-bars 27. The links 25 are also pivoted at 181 to a link182 which is pivoted at is, fed through it. The mandrel 16 conforms tothe shape of the tubular container and it is essential that an airpassage be provided in the tubular container.

through it to prevent pressure or vacuum effect Yin the containers. Vhencharging containers with solid substances the mandrel need only be aplain plunger with an air passage therethrough, or it can be a loose fitwith- In machines for packeting granular materials, the mandrel may be aplain tube with means for packing one or twoend supports, for examplediscs, as hereinafter explained. Liquids or semiliquids are preferablyfed through the mandrel in which case (unless the mandrel is grooved oris a quite loose fit in the tubular container toy obviate it), it musthave separate axial passages through it for the liquid or semi-liquid`and for air and separate inlets thereto, the said passages beingvalve-controlled as hereinafter more fully explained.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is intended for packetingsemi-liquid, liquid, granular, or powdery substances which are fedthrough the mandrel 16. A hopper. 28 is mounted on the top end of themandrel, and granular or powdery substances, may be deL livered to thehopper 28 by a delivery chute 29 from an ordinary automatic weighingmachine or otherwise.

Although in vertical machines the charge is preferably fed through themandrel, it is to be understood that this is not absolutely essential.

.Insertion of. end supports in tubular container.

'zine 31. In the vertical machine illustrated ysaid discs automaticallyfall into an indent 32 adapted to receive them on a slide 33 which iscaused to travel beneath said magazine and to carry the discs beneaththe mandrel 16. 4 The slide 33 is carried by an arm 34 which ispivotally mounted on a standard A35. A spring 36 tends to mlove saidslide into position beneath the mandrel, and the slide is moved awayfrom the mandrel into position to receive a disc lfrom the magazine 31by a cam 37 mounted on the cam shaft 13. It will be understood that, atthe appropriate time, the slide 33 is moved away from the mandrel 16beneath the magazine 31 and a disc falls onto the indent 32. The slide33 then returns with the disc thereon beneath the mandrel and within theopen part of the tubular container when the mandrel is in its topposition. The. mandrel 16 which is provided on its lower end* face withpins 38 then drops sullicicntly to peckthe disc off the slide 33. Aguide plate 181 is provided on the lower end of the disc magazine 31 toprevent the disc which is being fed to the mandrel 16 from springingupwardsoff the slide 33 due to the pressure of the remaining discs onthe rear part of the edge of said disc as it is being carried by saidslide from beneath the magazine.

Instead of employing the aforesaid pins, the disc may be caused toadhere to the mandrel by any other suitable means, for cxample by boingjammed on a taper on the mandrel, or by means of adhesive material.

Two discs may be pecked at once by the mandrel 16, one for each end ofthe container, the upper one havingL a larger hole than the lower. Inthis'case the discs would be arranged in the magazine l31 in pairs.

If desired for pecking purposes or to maintain the discs in position inthe containers they may be gummed during the operation of feeding themto the mandrel 16. In order to gum the underside of the disc deliveredfrom the vertical magazine 31, gum may be applied to the surface of theslide 33 by a gumming roller 200, and a top side of a disc Vmay begummed by a gumming roller 201 when the disc is resting on said indentand while being carried by the slide 33 from the magazine 31 to themandrel 16. Thus if two discs are being fed at one operation, theunderside of. the lowei` one `would Vbe gummed by the slide 33 so thatit will adhere to the bottom or leading end of the container, and thegumming roller 201 would gum the upper side of the other disc. By thismeans the discs can be accurately located in the containers if and whenthe ends are pressed flat against them.

It is not an essential feature of the invention to insert a disc ordiscs in the container, and the insertion varies according torequirements For example, when packeting a single solid body, such as aloaf of bread, in a container the aforesaid discs are not essential. Inthe case of power-operated machines, however, one disc at the rear endof the charged container is certainly most desirable as it facilitatesthe gripping of the containerfor closing purposes and provides asubstantially hard surface on which to close the end of the container.Moreover, when dealing with semi-liquids, the disc assists thebreakingor parting off of the contents when the container is filled. If a discis to be inserted at the forward end of the container, obviously it mustbe inserted before charging the container. It must therefore the top beon the end ot the `mandrel before the mand rel descends to make thecontainer and must be lett at the bottom of the container, or the'mandrel must alter forming the container rise to its top position, pecka disc, descend to the bottom ot the container and leave said discthere. rlhe former procedure is preterable and essential it pins areprovided on the mandrel to peck the discs.

rlhe top disc can be on the mandrel while the container is being formedand the charge led through it. This is desirable in the case ot liquidsor semi-liquids, or it may be lowered and lett in position'attercharging which is essential ytor solid substances and preferable t'orgranular substances.

llt two discs, one at each end ot the container are to be inserted, theycan either be pecked and inserted inde endently or pecked together,carried to the ottoni ont the coni tainer, one left there, and the topone carried up on the mandrel and deposited at the top oil thecontainer.v ln this case, ofcourse, the chargingC71 `must take placethrough a hole in isc.

'll'he release ol the discs from the mandrel may be effected by means onthe mandrel, or otherwise as hereinafter explained.

lr machine for packeting granular or powdery substances may have a plainhollow mandrelas hereinbefore described when only one disc is to beinserted and that at the rear end of the container, or the mandrel maybe provided also with an inner tube adapted to insert a disc attheforward end ot the container as illustrated in Figure 17. lin thisarrangement a tube 39 is provided within the hollow mandrel 16 and theteed hopper 28 is secured to said tube. A collar 40 is iixed to theupper end ot the mandrel 16, and a second collar 41 loosely surroundingthe mandrel 16 is connected to the inner tube 39 by a pin 42 which cantravel in a slot 43 in the said mandrel. Between the collars 40 41 isarranged a spring d4l oi' suflicient l strength 'to withstand theattachment of a disc 45 by wedging, pinning or other means on the lowerend of the tube 39. In the drawing the disc 45 which is to be insertedat the leading or bottom end of the container is shown as wedged on thetube 39 and for this purpose the end o said tube is tapered as shown at46,., A disc 47 pinned to the mandrel 16 constitutes the discfor thelrear or top end ot the container. The disc 45 is released by the upwardmovement of the tube 39 which is effected as hereinafter explained.

1When pins such as 38 are employed to peck the discs it is necessarythat a disc shall be on the mandrel 16 or thev tube 39 before saidmandrel or tube contacts with the bottom of the container as otherwisesaid pins would pierce the container, particularly if the end of thelatter is flat-tened. It is not necessary, however, for a disc to be onthe end of the mandrel when the closing of the upper end I of thecontainer takes place as the pins 38 are not then. able to pierce thewalls ot the container. Consequently after the top disc is placed inposition the mandrel 16 can rise or recede into position for the closingot the tubular container between it and said top disc or chargedcontainer and the closing can then be effected, or the mandrel can moveup wardly to top position, peck a disc or ldiscs and then descend andwait at the correct position tor the closing operation.

rlhe pecking of the discs and their insertion into the tubular container.therefore can take place at diderent times in the sequence ofoperations, one sequence ot which will be detailed hereinafter..

Magazine for receiving and closing containers.

ln the machine illustrated in the drawings the closing ot the containersis effected by twisting the charged container relatively to theremainder of the tubular container, which operation closes the top endot the charged container and the bottom end of the next followingcontainer. To this end there is provided a magazine 48 (Figure 13)mounted on a central spindle 49 and carrying a plurality ot sockets 50.In the drawings three such sockets are shown but it is to be understoodthat any desired number may be provided. 'lhese sockets are broughtalterna tively beneath the former 3 to receive the container andprimarily to grip itand twist it relatively to the tubular containerfrom which it is made. They also serve to convey the charged container,alter it has been closed and separated from the tubular container, tromsuch position to where it can beI further operated upon it required andfinally be removed from the magazine.

The main operative position of each socket therefore is beneath and inaxial alignment with the former and mandrel, although labelling andother operations may conveniently be performed whilst the `containerrests (gripped it desired) in a socket in another position.

Each socket 50 is adapted to receive a container as itis made, and hasivotally mounted thereon at its top end grippmg jaws l51 adapted to gripthe top disc in the container. As all the sockets and their operatingmeans are similar only one will be described in detail. The socket 50 ismounted on a spindle 52 which can slide within a twisting and triggertube 53. Mounted externally and slidably on the socket 50- is a circularcam 54 between which and a flange 55 which is screwed `to said socket4and to the spindle 52 is a spiral spring 56,

which spring when released causes the cam 54 to close the gripping jaws5l.A `Thus the said spring, cam and gripping jaws are all los lill

mounted on the socket 50 and can move with it.

Attached to the spindle 52 at a position not covered by the twistingandtrigger tube 53 and by a pin 57 is one end of a cord 58, preferablycat-gut, which cord passes around pulleys 59 and 60 and is secured atits other end toa weight 61 within a tube 62. If desiredv a compressionspring, or the equivalent, may be provided to act as a buffer betweenthe said weight and the bottom ofthe tube 62. At its upper endapproximately half the twisting and' trigger tube 53 is cut away so asto leave a substantially semi-circular portion 163, and said portion hasa cam-like end 64.

Positioned also on the spindle 52 is a catch pin 63 which at certainoperative positions is controlled by the aforesaid semi-circular portion163 of the twisting and trigger tube 53. Fixed to the lower end of thetube 53 is a planet gear wheel 65 which is always in mesh with aA fixedsun wheel 66 of greater depth than the wheel 65 and centrally mounted ina basin 67 beneath the magazine 48.

The twisting and-trigger tube 53 is slidably mounted on the socketspindle 52 and in its bearing 68 in the magazine 48 and said tube 53 iscontrolled by a lever arm 69 pivoted at 7 0 to a boss 71 on the magazine48, in which lever arm said tube is rotatable. The lever arm 69 at itsouter end has a roller 72 which when the magazine `48 is intermittentlyrotated, as hereinafter explained, runs on a horizontal race onv theupper edge of the basin 67, but which when` the socket 50 is inoperative position, that is under the mandrel 16, is taken onto andcontrolled by a circular dual-faced cam 73 mounted on the main camshaft13 of the machine. f

Pivoted also on the lever arm 69 is a connecting rod 74 operating atrigger 75 pivoted to a boss 76 on the magazine 48. The said trigger atcertain times bears against a rojection 77 on a fork-shaped lever 78wiich .operates on the aforementioned circular cam 54 controlling thegripping jaws 51 of the socket 50. It will be seen therefore that when asocket 50 is in operative position beneath the mandrel 16, thedual-faced cam 73 controls the sliding movement of the twisting andtrigger tube 53 and through the connecting rod 74, trigger and forkedlever 78 also at the same time controls the gripping jaws 51.

The magazine 48 is rotated intermittently by a ratchet mechanism fromthe main cam shaft 13 to bring the sockets 50 into and out` of operativeposition beneath the mandrel 16. This ratchet mechanism comprises a cam79 which'is` mounted on the main cam shaft 13 and which through aroller80 actuates a link 81 connected to an arm 82 pivotally mounted onan axle 83 in the bottom of the basin 67. The arm` 82 carries a. pawl 84which engages a toothed Wheel 85 secured to said axle and meshing with agear wheel 86 on the spindle 49 of the magazine 48. A spring 168 acts tomaintain the pawl 84 in engagement with the wheel 85 and also to returnthe link 81 and arm 82 to their normal position.

Obviously it is necessary to ensure that each socket is brought andmaintained axially centrally beneath the mandrel, and to this end aspring-controlled stop pawl 286 mounted on the magazine basin 67 isprovided to engage with notches 164 on the magazine 48. It is desirableto turn the magazine through such an angle that the socket 50 is ymovedsomewhatpast its central position beneath the mandrel 16 and then toturn it back until one of said notches 164 thereon engages the stop pawl286 which then holds the sockets centrally beneath the mandrel. Theaforementioned weights 61 tend to cause this backward movement but toensure it, a springcontrolled pin 87 is fitted on the lower face of thedual-faced cam 73 which pin jams the roller 72 between it and theopposin face of the cam 73. As said cam rotates in t e oppositedirection to the direction in which the magazine 48 is turned by theratchet mechanism the magazine is definitely pulled back i and as itcomes against the aforesaid stop pawl 86, the spring-controlled pin 87is 'depressed and allows the roller 72 and consequently the socket 50 tostop in the exact central position beneath the mandrel 16.

The aforesaid horizontal race on the upper edge of the basin 67 isformed with two levels, for a purpose hereinafter explained, and themagazine 48 has three sockets 50. Each sock- `ethas three positions inwhich it remains stationary whilst a container is being charged andclosed, viz:

(1) the operating position under the mandrel 16,

(2) 120o further. on in which position the roller 72 is on the low level88 of the aforesaid race and, as explained hereinafter, the grippers 51are still gripping the 'disc at the top of the charged container.

(3) a further 120 round said race when the roller 72 is on' the highlevel 89 of the race, and the grippers 51 have released the container50.

The circular dual-faced cam 73 has similarly two levels, namely la highlevel 90 corresponding and flush with the high level 89 on the basinrace and on to which runs the roller 72 of the socket which iscoming-into operative position beneath the former 16 with its gripping`iaws 51 open, and a low level 91 which delivers the roller 72 of thecharged socket as the magazine 48 is ratcheted round on to the low level88 of the basin race. During this movement the grippers 51 are stillgripping the charged container, and it will 'be appreciated that therise in levels of the basin race takes place between the second andthird positions of the socket. The object of lll . and spindle52 has acorresponding weight 61, and as the magazine 48 ratchets round to bringeach socket into and out of operative position, the planet gear wheel 65on the twisting and trigger tube 53 is rotated owing to its being inmesh with the fixed sun wheel veo 66. Consequently the tube 53 which isintegral with the gear wheel is also rotated and as by this time theedge 165 of the semi-circular portion 163 of the tube 53 has engaged'the catch pin 63 on the spindle 52, it rotates the said spindle with it'and the cord 58 is coiled on said spindle, thereby pulling up'theweight 61 in the tube 62.' 'lhe number of turns of the cord 58 on thespindle 52 is determined by the ratio of the planetary wheels 65 to thesun wheel 66, three or four turns generally being suliicient. ln thisway by the time each socket 50 comes into operative position beneath themandrel 16, itis set for tripping and twisting to close the top end ofthe charged container and the bottom end of the next followingcontainer.

rllhe bottom of the socket 50 is formed, as shown at 92, so as to Hattenor otherwise shape the lower end of the containeragainst the mandrel 16or the 'disc in the container as the mandrel comes to its lowestposition. Conveniently the covex end-of the container is pushed inwardsso that the closedend is within the container, thus making a dat end onwhich the container can stand, or to which a label may be attached; A te IThe operation of each socket 50 when in operative positionbeneath themandrel 16 `is as follows Each socket arrives in this position with thegripping jaws 51 open, and with the cord 58 set ready to turn thespindle 52 and consequently the socket 50, gripping jaws and cam 54thereon; Ah the dual-faced cam 73 rotates, it rstly by means of thespring-controlled pin 87 ensures that the socket 50 is central under themandrel, and as the said cam continues to rotate the roller 72 travelsdown'the 4declined face of the cam and through the connecting rod 74,trigger 75 and fork-shaped le-` ver 7 8 releases the, circular cam 54from the lower ends 93 of the gripping )aws 51. The

cam 73 is so timed that the mandrel 16 is at the cam' 54 comes against astop 94 on the.

socket 56, and the trig er 7 5 moves away'frem the projection 77 on t eforked lever 7 8 until it is clear of the path of the saidprojectiomrlhe socket 50 and lever 7 8 can then lift free of the said trigger.During this time, however, the twisting and trigger tube 53 has beenmoving downwards, and by the time the mandrel 16 has travelled farenough away from the socket 50 to allow for twisting to .twists thesocket 50 and charged container held by the gripping jaws 51 in relationto y the tubular container in the former 3 which is held from twistingor pulling through.

lin order to hold the tubular container during this operation the lowerend of the fori mer 3 is cut away for about half its diameter as shownat 203, Figure 3. ln the space thus provided a contractible portion 95,sce 'also Figure 9, is arranged to clamp the tubular container betweenitself and the mandrel 16 which constitutes 'an abutment within the webof material from which the tubular container is made. ylfhe main bodypart of this contractible portion is semi-circular and has a projectingportion 295 which is shaped so as to surround with suflicient clearancethe lower end 296 of the former 3. lntegral with the portion 295 is anarm 187 which is supported from the frame of the machine by studs 287mounted in slots 4288 in the arm 187 so as to permit endwise movement ofsaid arm. The

' contractible portion 95 is held in its operative position away fromthe mandrel by a'cam 185 on the shaft 13 which bears against a roller186 mounted on the arm 187 and is brought into its operative position bysprings 184. These springs are 4arranged one on each side of the arm 187and each is connected at one lend to a stationary support 284, and atits other endv to the projecting contractible. portion. l

p During the aforesaid twisting operation the socket 5d risesconsiderably and not only twists the charged container relatively to theremainder of the tubular container, but when part 295 of said the coilsof the cord 58 on the spindle 52 are unwound, it holds said containerwith the'end twisted tightly until fasteners have'been secured aroundthe twisted portion andthe latter severed from the tubular container. It1`2 will be clear that this twisting operation'iog duces a conical end96 at the top of the charged container, a conical end 97 at the lowerend of the next following container, and a cylindrical twisted portion98 betweensaid conical ends. The4 dies :teiecuring a fastener orfasteners around the twisted ortion 98, as hereinafter explained,preferab y hold on for a period but are ultimately released, and thenthe charged container and the socket fall again wholly or partly intothe magazine 48.

The twisting as be ore mentioned neceitates that the sockets 50 shallrise towards the mandrel 16, and careful adjustment of thecounterbalancing of the weight of the socket and contents of thecontainer for example by the direction ofthe pull of the coiling rope 58for different materials is necessary to avoid damage to the containers,and whilst ensuring a tight twist to secure the desired angle of theconifex ends of the containers. The rate of acceleration of the rise ofthe socket 50 is not even, the first half being found to beapproximately half the total lift if three or four turns of the cord 58are wound on the spindle 52. It is found desirable, therefore, to assistthis first half turn by shaping the end 64 of the twisting and triggertube 53 to the correct curve to lift the spindle 52 this distance. Thecord 58 is arranged to coil above the point at which it is attached tothe spindle 52, by positioning the pulley 59 so as to coil it in aspiral above said point. It is required that the coiling of the cord 58shall take place when the socket 50 is in its lowest position in the'magazine 48, and the unwinding of the coil during the lifting movement.It is possible, therefore, by adjusting the height of the pulley 59 toassist the lifting to any desired extent during the twisting.Furthermore, the cord 58 may be attached to the s indle 52 by atransversely projecting pin 57 attached to the spindle 52, thus causinga sharp pull at the end of the twist and, which is sometimes desirable,an upward lift to the socket 50 which brings the closed ends of thecontainers closer together and makes shallower convex ends on thecontainers. If such upward assistance causes the socket 50 to fail torturn to its correct position in the magazine 48, it is immaterial-asin'any case it will be pressed down by the forked lever 7 8 pressing onthe cam 54, which ilrany case has fallen sufficiently far forthepro'jection 77 to be in the path of the trigger 75,.as the latter isbrou ht into operatlng position by the cam 7 3 li ting the roller 72 tothe low level of the race on the basin 67. 'A

The angular sition of the pin 63 on the spindle 52 land t e pin 57holding thecord 58 is predetermined to allow the spindle 52 to drop infront of the semi-circular portion 163 of the twisting and trigger tube53. This is effected by firstly ensuring that each socket 50 when itcomes to operative position is in the same angular position-the numberof teeth on the planetwheels 65 being made an equal division of thenumber of teeth on the sun wheel 66 causing thisand secondly bydetermining the point of attachment of the cord 58 to thespindle 52 sothat it must return to the same position when.l the rope is un'coiled.

Furthermore, a slight fractional'variation of the number of coils ispossible by the meshing of the teeth of the planet wheels 65 with thoseof the sun wheel 66, whilst, of course, still allowing the socketspindle 52 to drop clear of the edge 165 of the twisting and triggertube` 53.

Each gripping jaw 51 is preferably made with a projecting lip 99 to reston top of the disc so as to prevent slip in twisting, the end of themandrel 1.6 being reduced so that said jaws will not grip it. The actualgripping may be timed to occur whilst the mandrel 16 is caused by thecam 21 to rest in correct position for that operation, or if, as in thecase of charging the containers with liquids or semiliquids, the topdisc is first taken to the bottom of the container, it may be caught bythe projecting lips 99 of the gripping jaws as the mandrel 16 risessteadily from its bottom position to the twisting position. In this casethe cam 54 which actuates the gripping jaws may be provided with twosteps 100 and 101, the first step putting the grip half on so that thelips 99 of the grippers come into the path of thedisc as it movesupwards on the bottom of the mandrel 16 within the container and pullsaid disc off therefrom, vthe second step 101 of said cam then puttingon the final grip. This obviates the arresting of the mandrel 16 in itstravel upwards, and as the half grip can be on for some time before thedisc reaches the projecting lips 99, the very line accuracy of timingwhich would otherwise be necessary is obviated.

Ayjan'ng fasteners and separating containers from the tubular container.

At the point where the aforesaid cylindrical twisted portion 98 isformed, a fastener or fasteners is or are applied and the chargedcontainer is severed from the tubular contain'er. It is preferred toapply two fasteners and sever said twisted portion between them, so thatone fastener secures the top end of the charged container and the otherfastener securesthe bottom end of the next following container. f

Any type of tying gear for dual cotton or string clips, ortwo tapes ormetal strips or two wires may be employed.

In the machine illustrated in the drawings scissor-like knives andfastener closing dies are comprised in one set of die-members and thefasteners are two clips formed from two wires by the mechanism moreparticularly illustrated in Figures 8-12 inclusive. Two wires 102, 103are fed separately from a swift 166 under and over a series ofstraightening rolls 104 and between feeding rollers 112, 113 to aswivelling feed arm 105 provided with a groove for each wire to maintainthem at the desired distance apart, in which grooves said wires arequite free to slide. The arm 105 is pivotally mounted at 106 on theframe of the machine and is caused to turn in the direction of the arrowin Figure 8, against the action of a spring, by a cam 107 on the maincam shaft 13. The cam 101' acts on a roller 108 mounted on a slottedlink 109 which is connected by a link 110 to said feeding arm.

The pivot 106 on which the feeding arm 105 turns is situated relativelyto the final wire feeding roller 113 so that the ends of the wires 102and 103 are drawn` further away from the roller 113 as the feeding anni105 travels away from the clip-applying position shown in full lines inFigure 8. Freconceiving therefore, that the ends of the wires 102, 103are prevented from being drawn bach into their grooves in the feedingarm 105 by being bent over the end 111 of said arm, the aforesaidmovement of the arm 105 will draw the wires 102, 103'between therollners. 112, 113. dit the back side of the feeding roller 113 is a rigidstay 111 to prevent baci:m ward movement of the wires through therollers 112, 113. Consequently when the distance between the stay 111and the end ofthe feeding arm 105 is again shortened, thatv is when saidfeeding arm moves anti-clockwise, the eifcess lengths of wire being freelto slide through the grooves 'in said arm will gradually be yprotrudedthrough the end 111 of the arm. lhe extent of this movement ispredetermined to the correct amount and can be varied by adjustablymounting the end portion 111 of the feeding arm 105 on the main portionof said arm.

The fastening and severing device cornprises two co-operatingdie-members 115, 116 which are both mounted on a pivot pin 117 carriedby a plate 118 controlled by a spring 119 and pivotally mounted on thestandard 35. Within the die-members'115, 116 (see Figures 11 and 12) aremounted upper oo-operating dies 121 and similar lower dies 125, andcentrally between said u per and lower dies are mounted scissor-likeblades 126. 1n the diemember 115 is also mounted a shearing blade 127,all for the purpose hereinafter explained. 'lhe plate 118 with thedie-members thereon is brought into operative position against theaction of said spring by a cam 120 on the shaft 13 acting against aroller 121 von s'aid plate. Also mounted on the main cam shaft 13 is acam 122 which acts on the rear end of the 'die-member 115, and a cam 123which acts on the -die-member 116. 'lhese cams cause the die-members115, 116, when the twisted portion 08 of the container is therebetween,to perform three actions namely:

(1) the cutting of the twisted portion 08 i of the tubular container bythe scissors blade ias A (a2) the shearing of sufficient wire od theends of the wires 102, 103 by the blade 12'?v to form the clips, and

(3) the bending or completion of the bend ing of the ends so out ot'into clips and aixing them round the said twisted portion by the dies125, 125,

The end 111 of the feeding arm 105 is adjustably positioned from theshearing blade 127 and from the die-members 115, 116 so that after theclips have vbeen cut from the wires 102, 103, sufficient lengths of wireprotrude from said ends to form the next clips.

AAfter the wires have been sheared olf and before the die-members 115,116 move awayy from their operative position, the feeding arm 105 isturned cloclrwise as shown in Fig ure 8 and the ends of the wires 102,103 are bent over substantially at right angles to the end 111 of thearm 105 by contact with the face 128 of the die-member 116 and saidwiresare drawn baclrwards through the feed arm 105, the bent ends of saidwires being dra-wn tightly against the end 111 of the arm 105 as shownat 120 in Figure 8. The bent-over ends of the wires 102, 103 are broughtinto the path of a bending pecher 130 which is then v caused. to closeover said bent ends and thus complete the bending of these ends intohoolrs as shown at 131.. I111e pecher is maintained in its inoperativeposition by a s ring 132 and is actuated .at the correct time y aprojection 133 on the cam 120 which through the roller 121 causes a pin131 to engage a recess 135 inthe pecher 130 and momentarily depress saidpecher.

lllhen the feeding arm 105 returns, that is moves anticloclrwise inFigure 8', the said hoohed ends are protruded from the end 111 of saidarm sufhciently far to allow the hooked ends to pass beyond the twistedportion 98 of the tubular container.. rlhe angular movement of the arm105 being continued the inner sides of the hooks are caused to presssnugly against said twisted portion.

As the diamembers 115, 116 are brought int-o operative position,thedie-member 116 presses end-on against the hooked ends ofthe wires 102,103 and pushes them against the twisted portion 98 of thetubularvcontainer (the eircess wires bulging between the end 111 of thearm 105 and the stay 111) after which said hooked ends are sheared bythe blade 127 and formed into clips by said dies. lfhelscissors blades126 then cut the twisted portion 98 between said clips.

llhe dies 121, 125 and the blade 127 are preferably grooved toneutralize the wires when being bent, and the scissors blades 126 arepreferably so shaped and located as to draw the 'twisted portion 08 ofthe tubular container to the bach of the dies 121, 125.

ltis preferred that both die-members 115, 116 should be movable but thisis not absolutely essential.

` When waxed paper is employed for the containers it is not essential toaffix fasteners as hereinbefore described, but the dies aforesaid may beheated so that they will melt the waa

